12 Incredible Ways to Discover Italy

Italy, renowned for its stunning art, architecture, and culinary treasures, has captivated the world for centuries.

As the heart of the Roman Empire and the cradle of the Renaissance, this European gem is rich in cultural significance. The true challenge when visiting Italy lies not in choosing a destination—every location offers an unforgettable experience—but in knowing how to explore it.

Insights from a seasoned traveler on the best activities can transform your trip into an extraordinary adventure.

1. Indulge in the Glamour of the Amalfi Coast

Whether you’re exploring the rugged cliffs for a hidden swimming spot or enjoying a spritz with celebrities in Positano, the Amalfi Coast is one of Italy's most luxurious locations. This stunning coastline offers excitement for every preference and budget, from discovering traditional marquetry in the winding streets of Sorrento to enjoying the gardens of Ravello.

Tip for Planning: Don’t miss the Sentiero degli Dei ('Path of the Gods') – a challenging hike that rewards you with stunningly beautiful views.

2. Experience Art within Tuscany's Sustainable Tourism Initiative

Many Tuscan tours kick off in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Florence, a stunning showcase of Renaissance palaces, medieval-frescoed chapels, and art museums filled with masterpieces by Botticelli and Michelangelo.

At the historical core of Florence lies the Uffizi, where millions flock each year to marvel at its unrivaled Renaissance art. The five-year Uffizi Diffusi initiative, launched in 2021, invites art enthusiasts to explore Tuscany’s countryside—by foot, bike, or car—on a unique trail leading to Italian masterpieces.

This sustainable tourism project aims to ease Florence's tourist congestion by establishing pop-up galleries in remote chapels, fortresses, hilltop villages, and other unexpected locations. It not only encourages exploration off the beaten path but also allows visitors to enjoy artworks within the very landscapes that inspired their creators—think rolling hills shrouded in morning mist, timeless cypress lanes, shimmering olive groves, and terraced vineyards. For updated venues, check the Uffizi website.

3. Explore Rome, the heart of the empire

Determining how to best enjoy your time in the Italian capital can be quite the cultural puzzle. Rome, once known as caput mundi (the capital of the world), was the center of the Roman Empire, the spiritual nucleus of Christianity, and a treasure trove of over two thousand years of European art and architecture. The city is brimming with must-see attractions around every corner.

One exciting option is to zip through Italy's Eternal City on a Vespa moped, allowing you to experience the dolce vita (the sweet life) at a thrilling pace. From the Colosseum (consider purchasing a 'Full Experience' ticket to explore the underground vaults) to the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums, history and culture await you at every turn.

Planning tip: There's simply too much to see in one visit—before you leave, make sure to toss a coin into the waters of the Trevi Fountain amidst the wild horses and cascading falls to ensure your return to this enchanting city.

4. Enjoy the tranquility of Italy's beautiful islands

Italy boasts around 450 stunning islands, ensuring that il bel paese ('the beautiful country') has a beach-laden island just for you. A multitude of islands can be found across the Mediterranean, Ionian, Adriatic, and Tyrrhenian Seas. Venice alone consists of 17 islands, while Sicily and Sardinia, the largest and most popular islands, present a captivating blend of outdoor adventures and rich history.

Pristine Capri, just a boat ride from Naples, draws in celebrities and the wealthy elite, much like the upscale Panarea in Sicily's Aeolian archipelago. Volcanic Ischia is filled with thermal spas and beautifully tended gardens.

Planning tip: If you’re traveling with nature enthusiasts, don’t miss the serene salt marshes and mudflats brimming with birdlife in the untouched Grado lagoon, located in the northeast corner of the country near Austria and Slovenia, in the lesser-known region of Friuli Venezia Giulia.

5. Contribute to Venice's preservation

Venice is truly captivating, which explains the influx of tourists flocking to this enchanting city filled with romantic canals and mystical fog. Each year, approximately 25 million visitors come to capture selfies beneath the Bridge of Sighs and admire the heavenly frescoes in Basilica di San Marco. To manage future crowds, plans are underway for turnstiles at city entrances and an app for advance reservations. In 2024, a long-anticipated tourist tax will be introduced to ensure that day-trippers help sustain the city.

Planning tip: To positively impact Italy's most crowded city, visit during the off-season and avoid quick day trips. Instead, stay for a few days using the community-focused home-sharing platform Fairbnb and connect with passionate Venetians through Venezia Autentica. At mealtime, choose lagoon-fresh seafood at local eateries rather than tourist traps with English menus.

6. Escape to the tranquil beauty of rural Abruzzo

While the Abruzzo region may lack the Amalfi Coast's natural allure or the cultural treasures of Rome, it offers travelers a deeply immersive experience with rural Italy and its communities. Nestled between the rugged Apennine mountains and the fierce Adriatic Sea, the area was struck by an earthquake in 2009. However, Abruzzo is gradually rebuilding and rediscovering its rich cultural heritage.

In the serene town of L'Aquila, the opening of a new branch of Rome's MAXXI (National Museum of 21st Century Arts) symbolizes this cultural resurgence. In the secluded Santo Stefano di Sessanio, the Sextantio albergo diffuso program welcomes guests into charming rustic rooms spread throughout the picturesque mountain village. Observing the rare Marsican bears wandering in Parc Nazionale d'Abruzzo adds to the allure.

7. Trek along the Via Francigena pilgrimage route

Biking and hiking are excellent ways to explore Italy's varied landscapes, and there’s no better long-distance path than the medieval Via Francigena. This lesser-known alternative to Spain's Camino de Santiago stretches 1900km (1180 miles) from Canterbury in England all the way to Rome, offering an unforgettable journey for pilgrims and adventurers alike.

The picturesque Italian leg meanders leisurely through Tuscany and Lazio, pausing to admire stunning hilltop towns, volcanic lakes, Etruscan ruins, secluded monasteries, and the captivating emerald hills surrounding Lucca; the UNESCO-listed Val d'Orcia; Viterbo; and other beautifully overlooked gems.

8. Immerse yourself in the vibrant street life of Naples

As Italy's liveliest urban center, this energetic and charismatic city in the southern part of the country is a fascinating mix of gripping history, classical art, and a gritty blend of frescoed ruins, bustling markets, and epicurean adventures. In lively Naples, street life unfolds like an elaborate opera, rich in drama and excitement.

Browse for swordfish heads and delectable ricotta pastries at Naples' oldest market, admire street art in the Centro Storico, enjoy views of Mt Vesuvius from the Lungomare waterfront, explore the subterranean catacombs, and then join the locals for an evening passeggiatta (promenade) along Via Chiaia. Expect drama at every turn, day and night.

9. Indulge in slow food in Piedmont

The rare white truffles from the vine-laden fields near Alba provide an authentic gastronomic experience unmatched in Italy. Once these exquisite fungi are located by dogs in the woods, sniffed ceremoniously, and savored, there’s no turning back.

Beyond truffles, the northwestern region of Piedmont, the birthplace of the Slow Food movement, tempts food lovers with sweet, creamy hazelnuts from the rolling hills of Langhe and silky chocolates in lavish cafés throughout elegant Turin. Nebbiolo grapes transform into enchanting Barolo and Barbaresco wines, served alongside revered aperitivo (pre-meal snacks) to stimulate the appetite at extravagant feasts.

Planning tip: Arrive hungry and relish the slow feast, savoring each delicious bite at a leisurely pace.

10. Experience the timeless allure of Sicily

At the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Sicily captivates with its stunning variety of landscapes and cultural riches. In the southeast, the golden-hued Syracuse was once the largest city in the ancient world—outshining even Athens and Corinth—and played a pivotal role in classical Greece. Its mesmerizing archaeological remains, set against lush citrus orchards and the shimmering Mediterranean Sea, embody Sicily's enduring charm.

Planning tip: Greek dramas continue to thrive in Syracuse's grand amphitheater, complemented by contemporary performances and live music. Be sure to catch a show under the stars at the Teatro Greco—an unforgettable spectacle awaits you.

11. Experience grape harvesting in the Cinque Terre

Few places rival the breathtaking beauty of Cinque Terre—five charming, pastel-colored villages nestled against a dramatic backdrop of terraced vineyards, rugged cliffs, and the azure waters of the Italian Riviera. While summer sees these popular spots overflowing with tourists, the autumn vendemmia (grape harvest) brings a refreshing change.

Planning tip: Visit in the fall for serene days spent wandering tranquil cobbled streets and hiking through steep vineyards and fragrant hillsides filled with macchia (herbal scrub). Witness local harvesters skillfully picking grapes destined for the Cinque Terre's sweet, fortified Sciacchetrà, and enjoy sipping the exquisite wines at a Corniglia or Riomaggiore wine bar with stunning views—an unforgettable experience.

12. Explore the ski slopes and hiking paths in Valle d'Aosta

Surrounded by some of Europe's tallest mountains, including Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and Gran Paradiso, the Aosta Valley boasts some of the finest winter sports facilities on the continent. In the chic resort town of Courmayeur, daring skiers tackle thrilling runs into France and Switzerland, traversing glaciers and returning via high-altitude cable cars.

As the snow melts, breathtaking hiking trails in Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso and around Mont Blanc beckon. No matter the season, listen for Franco-Provençal (also known as Valdôtain), the unique local dialect of this Franco-Italian valley.